Wellness From Insidetag:typepad.com,2003:weblog-18075442014-12-09T06:47:49-08:00Musing on yoga, wellness and living a healthy, happy lifeTypePadVous Vitamins Review and Giveawaytag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a010536dcacac970b01b8d0a51323970c2014-12-09T06:47:49-08:002014-12-09T06:47:41-08:00Vitamin GiveawayShanna Small

I have been taking these for a few months and I love them. Vous Vitmins are vitamins personalized for your specific needs. You go to their website and fill out a diagnostic survey and they send you the formulation that is right for you. For instance, if you are vegan with brittle nails, your Vous will have extra B vitamins and Biotin.

On my first order, they sent me a few packs of situation supplements as well. One was for athletes and recovery, one was for the immune system and one was for energy and they worked great. These are for when you need a little extra boost.

I felt great taking these, however, I had to make sure it was not a placebo. I went back to my regular whole food vitamin and immediately noticed a drop in my energy. I went back to the Vous and my energy went back up so now I am a die hard Vous girl.

I liked them so much that I asked if they could offer a discount to my blog fam.

Comment below AND like Vous Vitamins on Facebook, and I will randomly choose 5 people to receive free situational vitamins. In the comments, let me know if you are a regular vitamin user. You must be subscribed so that I have your e-mail. Giveaway ends Thursday December 18.

Why I Hate The New Black Girl Yoga Videotag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a010536dcacac970b01b8d0668e9e970c2014-09-09T07:15:08-07:002014-09-09T07:15:08-07:00Black people do yoga but not like thisShanna Small

Me doing Warrior

I get it. It is supposed to be tongue and cheek humor. Funny. I haven't had my coffee this morning and my mind is a little cloudy but it felt like a shuck and jive black face minstrel show to me.

It doesn't really talk about the so called "issue", not that I think there really is one, but I digress, of the lack of black people in class. It alludes to it, but it doesn't really talk about it.

The stereotypes are ridiculous. The crappy stereotypical McDonald's commercial black people smiling and dancing and rapping. It reminds me of the dance scene from 12 Years A Slave. I know. I know. I am taking this too far but you know the scene. If you don't, look it up. I dare you....

The rap oh my goodness...hip hop just had a heart attack

All the people actually doing real yoga poses were White. If a person wanted to show that Black people can and do indeed do yoga, why wouldn't you show Black people doing yoga? Why are all the Black people just dancing and bopping around the room rolling their eyes? There are a few shots that insinuate they do yoga, but all the real yoga shots were done by the White models.

This has already been picked up my White bloggers who feel that it positively reflects Black people. I am sorry. I don't act like this. I like hip hop but I also like Radio Head, Tori Amos and Krishna Das. My yoga practice rocks. I do the poses with the White girls and we all love each other. No one is staring and rolling their eyes. We are all on our mat doing our thing. Afterwards we hang out, grab coffee, food and party like its 1999.

My point is that Black people are diverse. I don't need to be treated special. Just show me the same kindness you do everybody else. You don't have to play rap music for me or go out of your way to make me feel special in your yoga class . I came to do yoga. Teach me yoga they way you do everybody else.

Yes, I know this is supposed to be a joke but there are only a few videos out there with people of color doing yoga. It pains me that this is the one that will get talked about and blogged about.

If I am being too serious call me out but I would love to hear what you guys think. I will make sure to drink my coffee and do a few sun salutes before I answer back.

Oh, and just in case you needed to see what I real live Black person looks like doing yoga, here are some pictures of me doing it.

The Movie "Lucy" Perpetuating One of Spirituality's Biggest Mythstag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a010536dcacac970b01a73dfe971d970d2014-08-09T07:41:56-07:002014-08-09T07:41:56-07:00Lucy and spirituality mythsShanna Small

The new movie, Lucy"with Scarlett Johansson, is the story of a young woman, who by a freak event, can use 100% of her brain. As a result she discovers the truth about the universe and existence. Don't get me wrong. This movie is very entertaining and you should absolutely go see it.

Besides the fact that someone who understood the totality of the universe probably would not run around killing people and causing freak car accidents, I was disappointed that it perpetuated the myth that enlightened people have no emotions and lose their connection with life.

This myth is one of the biggest reasons why people hold on to the devil they know, which is their current life, and don't go all the way into the unknown of spirit. To fully know yourself is to be fully connected to life because you are life. People use the term awakened because they feel completely aware and alive.

Throughout our lives, we have sort of mini awakenings. That moment when you figure something out and a light bulb goes on in your head and you now clearly see what was hidden from you. In that moment, the clarity makes you feel more alive and alert. I love the term, "ah ha moments" coined by Oprah Winfrey. The confidence that comes with an ah ha moment propels us forward in action. It gives us a place for a new beginning.

An awakening is a huge new beginning. It is an all encompassing ah ha moment. The aha is about everything around you. It is seeing everything clearly. Wonder comes back into life. Being awakened is to be fully human and to be fully spirit. It is not a denunciation of either one.

It is the ability to see your emotions and feelings for what they are and using them as instruments to experience life rather then letting them control life.

Did you see Lucy? What are your thoughts on it regarding spirituality and knowledge?

Play That Funky Yoga Music Black Girltag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a010536dcacac970b01a511b82fe1970c2014-05-14T11:05:11-07:002014-05-14T11:05:11-07:00Learning to chantShanna Small

Me Making a Playlist For Yoga Class

The first time I heard Krishna Das chant, I was in love. When I first started practicing yoga, chanting was a huge part of the practice. Before moving to Charlotte, I lived in Atlanta and I only practiced Ashtanga. The opening mantra was a beautiful part of the practice that I looked forward too. It was a prayer, an intention, an opening signal,an energy resetter and it was powerful.

The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, which is the foremost text on yoga, speaks of the power of mantra. Specifically, it talks about how just chanting "om" alone can bring enlightenment. No one denies that music has the power to change our moods. Chanting works to bring us closer to self realization by striking the heart. The vibrations, the tones, the words and the beauty of the music works through us and removes barriers that keep us from seeing who we really are.

I dream of one day leading a kirtan (chanting session) or starting and ending my classes with a rousing chant.

So when I was contacted by Kim Corbin of New World Libary regarding reviewing Alanna Kaivalya's, Sacred Sound, I jumped on it.

This book provides the chants, the mythos, correct times to use the chants and if you go to this link, you learn pronunciation and how to say them. The book is easy to understand and the chants and stories are applicable to even the most skeptical yoga student.

Am I ready to lead a Kirtan? No, but I am much more informed and comforatable wich is a step in the right direction.

These performance leggings are made out of a very fine knit 82% micro denier poly / 18% spandex fabric. The fabric has both a moisture movement, and anti microbial treatments. These enable the fabric to move the sweat from your body, to the surface of the fabric to keep you dry. Our branded "Ultra Fresh" anti microbial finish helps to kill bacteria, as well as any odors. Last but not least we have combined a special poly/cotton anti-bacterial and odor retardant fabric in the gusset.

These leggings will be your favorite the moment you put them on.

I wore them for two hot yoga classes and they were amazing. They fit well and I didn't get the sweaty crotch look that I hate so much. They were soaking wet but from the outside they looked dry and felt comfortable. I got the blue and the gold Ganesha Pants.

I used to have organic veggies delivered to my home but my money started getting short and I had to cancel it. Things are on the up and up so I decided to start it up again. I like veggie delivery services because:

encourages me to eat more veggies

inspires me to be creative by creating dishes and finding recipes

the veggies are all organic, local and in season which is better for the environment, local farmers and me

This time I chose, Simply Fresh NC because I liked their prices and the fact that I had a choice in how much I got. I chose the small box which is pictured above. They dropped it off on Monday in a nice insulated box. So far I have made home fries, roasted veggies,grilled mexican corn with vean mayo and chili powder,and a huge salad.

The verdict is still out on rather I love it or not. I did have a few peices of produce that were questionable, however, I understand that this is real food and sometimes it is not perfect.

Check This Album Out: Sruti Ram and Ishwaritag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a010536dcacac970b01a51175b071970c2014-02-25T07:13:04-08:002014-02-25T07:13:04-08:00New Music For YogaShanna Small

This is a great album for those who like traditional yoga music. I really love Krishna Govinda.

Let me know what you think

Valentine's: Shout Out To What I Love!tag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a010536dcacac970b01a3fcba187b970b2014-02-11T06:58:43-08:002014-02-11T06:58:43-08:00Things I love and you might too!Shanna Small

My yoga teacher friend, Carrie Williams, inspired me to do a blog of things I love. To see hers, check here. I admire Carries positivity and it reminded me of how "news" is usually negative and that even in the yoga world, headlines are often not so positive. This post is going to be about shouting out people, places and things that have had a positive impact and that I love.

Music(This Changes Daily)

New Years Give Away: The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdomtag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a010536dcacac970b01a51010a4de970c2013-12-30T10:36:02-08:002013-12-30T10:36:02-08:00New Years Giveaway!Shanna Small

Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom

As a teacher, I am always looking for sources of inspiration for my classes so I was very excited to receive this book. The Little Red Book of Yoga Wisdom edited by Kelsie Besaw, is packed full of inspiring quotes and also includes a yoga pose index with the sanskrit names and benefits of popular poses. It fits right into my purse and its simple layout allows me to turn to any page and find something uplifting and informative to share.

It is divided up into 14 sections and each section includes simple quotes, bits of information and aphorisms that fit the topic. The sections are:

What is yoga?

Styles of Yoga

Yoga and the Body

Yoga and the Mind

Gautama Buddha

Yoga Poses

Hot Yoga Wisdom

Great Minds

Remember to Breathe

Enlightenment

Lighten Up

What's In a Pose

Yoga is a Journey

Meditation

This book is not just for teachers. It is also a great daily inspiration book for anyone interested in yoga.

I have TWO copies of this book to give away.

Give Away Details

You must be a subscriber to this blog.

2 Winners will be announced here, on Facebook and on Twitter. If you don' t respond back in 48 hours, I will chose someone else.

To enter, respond in the comments with how you plan to rock out your yoga practice in the new year.

Serving Life: Life as the Gurutag:typepad.com,2003:post-6a010536dcacac970b019aff2a67eb970d2013-09-03T04:38:48-07:002013-09-03T04:38:48-07:00Serving LifeShanna Small

Life always gives us exactly what we need to grow. We just don't see the opportunity. We don't take it. We lament our situation. We blame it on others and we don't learn. Those who don't learn, are destined to repeat it. The situations don't go away. The lessons just come back disguised as a different situation and they are usually tougher.

I recently watched a documentary, by Oprah's OWN Network, called Serving Life. It is about murderers and hard core criminals in prison who volunteer for hospice and how it changes them. While on the phone, one of the prisoners tells his parents that he is exactly where he needs to be. His mother reacts in the stereotypical way and says that is not true and starts blaming outside circumstances and goes the "woe is me" route. The son cuts her off and reiterates to her that he is where he needs to be and he is learning what he needs to learn and being of service even at what most people would call rock bottom.

It is the very fact that these guys own up to their situation that allows them to be of service. To enter the program, the inmates have to have a clean prison record. Where other prisoners decide to continue their life of violence and hate within the institution and not change or learn, these guys surrendered to it and were giving another opportunity to learn compassion and have a good life even there.

No matter if the guru is life or a human being, in order for the Guru/Student relationship to work, you have to surrender to the guru. This is something that other cultures have always known but Americans have a hard time doing. We are taught to fight, stand up, & be independent and of course there is a time and place for this but when the guru is teaching us, it is an impediment.

Everything in nature grows. Growth is the differentiating factor between things that are dead and alive. When we fight life, we enter the process of dying. We mentally put ourselves into hospice. Luckily our guru, life, knows that it is not yet our time and that we can still grow if we just pay attention to the guru. We still have time to change and realize the greatness buried within.

You can find Serving Life on Netflix

Serving Life - Trailer

Serving Life documents an extraordinary hospice program where hardened criminals care for dying fellow inmates. Narrated and executive produced by Academy Award®-winner Forest Whitaker, the film takes viewers inside Louisiana's maximum security prison at Angola, where the average sentence is more than 90 years. Premiered on July 28, 2011.